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The Disciple Jesus Loved

By Niles Holsinger

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate. Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. –John 21:20–25 (NLT)

Most biblical scholars believe the Gospel of John was the last of the Gospels written. Most think it may have been written some 30, 40, or even 50 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Have you ever thought about or imagined how this Gospel came to be?

The author, a young man when he met Jesus, was with Christ from the very beginning of His earthly ministry. He was there when Jesus fed the 5,000; he witnessed the countless sick and lame brought to Him and was amazed as Jesus made them whole. This young disciple stood in front of Lazarus’s grave when Jesus, ignoring the protests of Mary and Martha, commanded that the stone be removed from Lazarus’s tomb. And if that isn’t shocking enough, he witnessed Lazarus, dead for four days, walk out of his grave alive.

This same disciple witnessed other things too. He saw the hours that Jesus spent in prayer, and he watched as one of Jesus’ closest friends betrayed him. He watched as his rabbi was beaten and pinned to a cross. He was even there, standing next to Jesus’ mother as she wept, watching her son naked and dying in front of the world.

Now an old man drawing near to the end of his race, this disciple looks back over everything he’s witnessed and decides to write down what he believes are the most important parts of Jesus’ story.

And now, here we are. On the last day of our devotional, looking at the last paragraph of the last chapter of the Gospel of John, we come to what may have been the most significant revelation this disciple ever had.

He was the disciple Jesus loved.

John was a young fisherman who found himself part of a group of men who, at first glance, had no business being with Jesus, let alone being His closest friends. And as John is coming to the end of his life, he’s come to realize that of all the amazing things Jesus did, the most amazing was that Jesus loved him!

We live in a time when nothing seems certain, nothing seems okay. Stress is high, patience is low, and if we were all honest with each other, we would say that there is at least one area of our lives where we aren’t doing great.

But you are loved by Jesus.

Just stop for a minute right now. Take your time with this.

You are loved. By Jesus!

As we end our time in this devotional, I want you to think about everything you’re facing right now that is causing you distress. Every burden, every problem, every broken or strained relationship. Every misstep, every sin. The truth is, despite everything you just thought about, you are accepted, and you are loved by Jesus.

You are the disciple Jesus loves.

Prayer

Lord, You know what I’m walking through right now. I pray I would experience peace in Your presence. Overwhelm me with Your love. Show me how You see me, how You feel about me, and what You think about me. Remove the lies I have heard and unknowingly believed, and replace them with Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Further Reflection

• Think about a time recently when you were not at your best. Maybe you lost your temper or said something you didn’t mean. Now ask the Holy Spirit how He felt about that situation and how He feels about you.
• Think about someone in your life whom you love. Maybe a spouse, a child, or a close friend. How quick are you to forgive that person? How much are you willing to give up for that person? Reflect on how that love is nothing compared to how much God loves you.

Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?

We hope you hear from the Holy Spirit and receive God's richest blessings from this devotional by Gateway Publishing. Our purpose is to carry out the mission and vision of Gateway Church through print and digital resources to equip leaders, disciple believers, and advance God’s kingdom. For more information on other resources from Gateway Publishing®, go to GatewayPublishing.com.

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